NHS Trust Confirms Outsourcing of Support Roles

A hospital trust has confirmed its intention to outsource cleaning, catering, security, and porter positions. Employees at Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) had previously engaged in industrial action concerning proposals to transfer these roles out of the NHS. This change will affect staff at various locations, including Colchester Hospital and Aldeburgh Community Hospital. Unison characterized this decision as “reckless” and stated that its members have pledged to oppose it. The trust had previously indicated that the majority of affected personnel were based at Colchester Hospital, noting that most “soft facility management” services at Ipswich Hospital were already contracted out to a private entity. Under the new arrangements, staff at Ipswich Hospital are expected to transition to a new provider, though no job losses are anticipated. A spokesperson for the trust announced that a preferred partner for the outsourced services has been selected, explaining that the shift to an external partner aims to achieve a “single, consistent approach across all its sites.” They added that no further details could be released until at least 17 December, “once the relevant due process has been completed.” Caroline Hennessy, Unison’s eastern head of health, commented: “It’s incredibly disappointing to see ESNEFT make this reckless decision to sell essential cleaners, porters, caterers and other staff out of the NHS.” She further asserted, “Public, political and academic opinion is all turning against outsourcing because it’s worse for patients and worse for workers.” Hennessy urged, “ESNEFT still has time to do the right thing and decide to deliver all facilities services — at Colchester, Ipswich and across its community sites — in house.” Lucas Bertholdi-Saad, a regional organiser for Unison, conveyed that staff felt their perspectives had not been considered. He remarked, “There’s been anger and a lot of disappointment with the trust and trust leadership.” Pam Cox, the Labour MP for Colchester, expressed her “disappointment” regarding the decision. She stated, “It was not the outcome I had hoped for,” and added, “I have heard from many local people that these jobs are so important when they are treated at Colchester Hospital. “I want to see the NHS workforce valued and invested in by this government and their employers.”